My Sister Seems Anxious and Depressed; Help...

Hi N.

Been there done that...to the point that I was just a walking robot...she needs to go see a therapist and deal with the issues that she has...therapist can also teach her "coping" skills...It does sound like she has sensory issues..ie the hugging, touching, large crowds...If she doesn't want to see a therapist..try a family intervention. Have you asked her what SHE thinks is going to help. She may not answer but might think about it. Sometimes the low self esteem is something people are born with..I had the same issue and so does my daughter...even though my daughter constantly gets praise..Try baby steps...maybe make an appt with a therapist and go with her...until she feels comfortable going on her own. Try including her in things or outings that you go to...It sounds like she needs to be brought out of her shell..sometimes though only when the person is ready will things change...

I hope this helps both you and her.

d

There's acually no scientific proof of mental illness. All the psych drugs that are out there permanently alter the mind and change your brain. We are living in a society where everyone "needs" meds but no one is telling anyone of the dangers of taking them. Most of these drugs have black box warnings. They don't just issue those for no reason, they issue them because they are dangerous. The "mental" disorders listed in the DSM (which is the book psychs use to diagnose their patients) is a list of ridiculous illnesses that the psychs voted on. They voted on whether they were mental diseases. They don't have any scientific data to prove that there is such a thing. They use some brain scans and MRI's to prove that some people's brains are different but it's just a ploy to disguise the fact that they don't know why people act the way they do and that they only babaric solution is to lobotomize you with chemicals. Because essentially that's what these chemicals do. Don't even get me started in electric shock therapy. Do you know that psychs are allowed to do any treatment they want WITHOUT your consent? Do you know that psychiatry is the only field of "medicine" where you can be committed to mental hospital WITHOUT your consent? You have rights with any other doctor. If you are not in agreement with your cardiologist, you just say you don't want their treatment and look for an alternative. If you go into a mental hospital, you are there until they let you out. Find a better solution unless you want your sister to turn into a zombie or a vegetable. Please email me if you want an alternative mental "disorders".

Hi,
She may have an issue from early on that she doesn't even recall, and therapy would be almost impossible to get to. Early issues are not associated with words so they are difficult if not impossible to articulate. The problem with meds is they put a lid on it... her feelings can build up even more. She can't express what she can't feel. I have seen people go on meds like this then start having panic attacks.

It sounds to me like what she has done is decide this world is a cruel place, then insulated herself from it (even the no touching) which is a form of running away or avoiding. This is the same thing that leads to addictions. (I just wrote a book on that.)

I actually help people like this if they are ready for help. I have a gift I call Thought Shifting. I can remove all the things in her way in a program I deliver over time, or just a particular issue. It is the simplest, most non-invasive method ever yet the most effective.

If you think she may be interested you can email me privately, I am new here but notice they won't let me add a website reference. I have a couple different ways I work with people, it is all remote (phone.)

I hope this helps. She definitely needs some help. But, you cannot force her. She has free will, we are created that way.

Warmly,
P.

Your sister seems depressed. My best advice would be to not discard her feelings as being over dramatic or a phase. She probably should see a thearapist. I'm not sure what her situation is maybe there is a tramatic event in her life that she needs to work through. But you say she has always been introverted and anti-social.. perhaps meds along with thearapy
is best, a thearapist can help her relearn her way of thinking
her emotional reactions to life around her. But if she is on medication make sure her reaction and behavior is closely monitored as there are suicidal reactions to anxiety and anti-depressents. Try to get her to accept help because she is legal age there is not much you can do otherwise. And if you can nip this in the bud now you can avoid a prolonged or debilitating disease. Your sister is young and she can get help and lead a healthy life. My sister developed anorexia at 30 years of age it got so bad it ate at her mental health starvation and dehydration for prolonged period of time will do that. She now refuses help and we can't get her to seek help. We don't know what her true diagnosis is. She thinks the world is out to get her and we are #1 on her list. She thinks we intentionally sabatoge her. when all weve done is love and support her. I tell you this because my sister is so out our hands it has been 5years and she still won't admit she has a problem or seek help. The only time she saw medical care was once she was admitted to mental health ward because she was literally going to die. She stopped eating and drinking water!!! it took 1 month under hosp./psch care to get her to take 1 sip of water. 3days later she was released.
Her anorexia is still present although she does eat complete meals now. mindset wise still very present. But her mental state has never recooped. I also just lost my brother in law to suicide with no signs that there was anything wrong aside from normal teen problems. It has been the worst expirience of my life and wouln't wish it upon my worst enemy. But what i've learned through this is that sucidal people are truely afraid of life and living. The only precurser personality trait we could see now is that he was always shy and didn't
express hiomself very much. He had friends and family who loved him he was always nice polite and helpful. I figured that at some point in his teen years he was dissapointed and never got past it. Do the best you can to get your sister help now pay attention to her diffrent behaviors. Like i said she is young she can relearn her way of thinking with thearpy.
Best of luck...

I think the best thing she can do right now is talk to a professional.

It sounds like she definitely needs some counseling. Sometimes doctors are quick to prescribe a pill, but that's also because society has somewhat trained them to think so. People want something fast. They don't necessarily want to deal with their problems.

My family deals with my husband's depression and bipolar everyday. He would not be where he is if it were not for counseling.

N.,
One thing your sister has going for her is you, your love and caring...

I've read the ideas of some of the moms re possible diagnoses. Some of what you describe reminds me of me..awhile ago. One of the things that helped tremendously was the small, steady successes i made--going at my own pace--in becoming more and more comfortable with the outside world. And, of course, with every success, the higher my self esteem rose.

I used to be agoraphobic/panic attacks and would hardly go out of the house except to work....with knowledge of what was going on in my body, willingness to stop scaring myself with my own self-talk, and practicing, de-sensitizing myself to situations where i would scare myself...AND MOST OF ALL, WITH MEDICATION...i've made huge strides.

If your sister won't see a therapist, she might be willing to see a life coach who can help her identify, map out, and support her in taking the tiny, tiny steps to begin to regain her power, self-love and self-esteem.

About me: I am a life and Certified Family Coach...and bring empathy as well as commitment to support individuals in taking action consistent with their vision, values, goals and dreams. And I know about fear....Feel free to write me for further information if you're interested.

Warmly,
R. G

Dear N.,
Greetings!!!

Have you ever thought about researching alternative natural and homeopathic remedies for your sister? I know from experience that psych meds do more harm than good! Your sister definitely does not need to see a psychiatrist or psychologist!

I highly recommend contacting Dr. Anita Pepi who is truly an amazing Chiropractor and Nutritionist and would definitely be able to help your sister naturally.

Here's her data:

2950 Los Feliz Blvd. Suite 101
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 666~1088
http://www.drpepi.com

I'd also recommend checking out 4 organizations validating why going the natural route is best for your sister:
http://ablechild.org/
http://www.cchr.org/
http://www.psychsearch.net/teenscreen.html
http://www.labelmesane.com/

Hope this helps, N.! Please free to call me anytime: (323) 906~2784.

L. (Mama to 25 week old Dylan Orion) : )))

N.,
You are in such a tough place with your sister and doing your best. Keep in the loop and keep trying.

I may be WAY WAY off base here, but a lot of the traits you describe can be found in people who has Asperger Syndrome...which is a slight form of autism...usually there are no language delays and the individuals are intelligent, but they have challenges "finding their way" in social issues and can have serious sensory issues (like you describe the not feeling comfortable with touch...also noises and crowds can bother them). Anyway, again, I'm not trying to diagnos your sister, but it is becoming VERY apparent in the autism community that girls are WAY underdiagnosed which means they are navigating this "typical world" without the tools they need or an explanation as to why they are feeling or acting differently than the "norm."

I don't mention this so that you can run to your sister with this information, I mention it so that you might run a few searches about Aspergers Syndrome and look at a lot of the issues and see what you think. You know your sister and perhaps this avenue might be where she is AND perhaps not. If this is what is causing these issues, having a local support group would be helpful.

http://www.fortunecity.com/meltingpot/barclay/64/id26.htm

http://www.yourlittleprofessor.com/girls.html

http://www.byparents-forparents.com/asperger-syndrome-gir...

Either way, whatever she is experiencing is REAL and is now affecting her physically.

So, keep on top of it with her and be there for her. You are a good sister.

Again, please note I may be way off...it's just a thought...
J.
www.AisForAutism.net

I think your sister may have Asperger's SYndrome. Look it up on the Internet. If I were you, I would check around...maybe UCLA, to find a clinic that can thoroughly assess her. I disagree with the advocates against medication. It's finding the right medication for her. If your focus is to assist her in becoming a happy, functional person, I don't think we rule things out so quickly.